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Motorcycle Libya to Sudan? Motorcycle Libya to Sudan?
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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
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Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 22 Jan 2014
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Motorcycle Libya to Sudan?
Hi all,

I've been researching a lot as I hope to either ride from London to Cape Town or vice versa. Reading up it sounds like Egypt is nothing short of a pain in the *** when it comes to bringing a vehicle and I would like to avoid it. The problem is getting from Europe into Africa and wondered if it's possible to somehow get to Libya from Europe and then head to the Sudanese border and then onto Ethiopia etc.?

I imagine I would need an armed guard/tour guide to escort me. Also not sure what's happening with Tunisia or even if there are ferries to Libya.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,
Antony.
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Old 22 Jan 2014
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Hi Anthony. This question was asked about a year ago for the same reasons, but judging by the recent news from Kurfa, Egypt is still a much safer option, despite all the aggro.

Libya to Sudan is a common smugglers route, now more than ever I imagine, but not a recognised border crossing.
I have not heard of any tourist doing this route since the Bagnold era.

I imagine whatever armed escort you might recruit will have to win over a variety of local militias on the way. Like the bloke in Pulp Fiction says, that would have to be one charming … individual.

By comparison, I don't see Tunisia as a worry. I am sure the regular ferries from Genoa and Marseille run as before. Even if there are ferries direct to Libya, I believe the ports are not set up for overland tourist immigration (numbers plates, etc).

Plus - it's only the getting in and out of Egypt that is a pain. Once in, there is a lot to see there wrt antiquities - and all without tourists crowds or, as I see it, any real danger to foreigners, unlike parts of Libya.

Ch
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  #3  
Old 22 Jan 2014
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Thanks for responding so quick. I guess he'd have to be more charming than old Arnold on Green Acres....

I've been looking and really can't see any way of getting the bike to or from Egypt and Europe without putting it in a container and flying over which I'd much rather avoid. The country also seems to charge excessively and unnecessarily for everything. Perhaps that's part of the adventure, but a lot of people seem disgruntled with the process and I wondered if it was possible to avoid it - especially since I'll be on a shoe string budget.
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Old 22 Jan 2014
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Arnold… that's the one.

If it makes you feel any better, Egypt borders were an arseache and Lake Nasser a rip-off even before the revolution. And Africa is not a cheap continent to travel like Asia, despite being as full of poor people.

Like you say, accept it as part of the adventure and submit to the will of the men in hats. Along with Libya, I bet that stage all the way to Ethiopia will be what you remember best. Luxor alone will be worth it, IMO.

Ch
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Old 22 Jan 2014
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Libya to Sudan is a common smugglers route, now more than ever I imagine, but not a recognised border crossing. I have not heard of any tourist doing this route since the Bagnold era.

I think Reinhard Mazur did this route around 1998 or something. And also some French. But nowadys quite challenging indeed. Many Zaghawa bandits in north Sudan I hear
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Old 22 Jan 2014
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You are right about Reinhart, Gerbert. It could only be him.

SAHARA TRAVELS - Libyen - Djibouti - Arabien - 2000/2001

'Zaghawa bandits?' - a new one on me. They don't sound very friendly.

Ch
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Old 22 Jan 2014
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Fair enough. I'm still at a loss how to go about doing it though without paying a fortune to send the bike ahead of me in a container (Europe to Egypt). At least it seems there's now a road linking Egypt with Sudan so the additional ferry crossing isn't necessary?
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Old 13 Feb 2014
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How about RoRo?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Springbok_Rider View Post
I've been looking and really can't see any way of getting the bike to or from Egypt and Europe without putting it in a container and flying over which I'd much rather avoid.
Hi, I am a newcomer here who was attracted by this specific thread. As I am now preparing for a trip the other way around (i.e. Egypt to Europe) and failed to find a ferry to start in that direction, with all land routes closed because of the situation in Libya and Syria, I came across this RoRo option. It seems to be the second best after a ferry with me on board, and is much more affordable than the container scheme. Did you consider that option? I can share some specific info and contacts if you wish.
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